Meehan Family Nativities

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

ANRI now sells much smaller pieces. This one is 45 cm tall (17 3/4 inches) and it appears they have sold two smaller sizes. The limited run of 50 sold out immediately when they were announced. I found out about it quite a bit later and was told several times that I was just out of luck. Eventually I persuaded* them to sell me the artist's proof. Months later they told me that the proof was in too bad a shape to be repaired and sold. Months later I was advised of a cancellation. I was to have number 50 of 50. We had it engraved with our wedding date. Remember that you can click on any picture to see a larger sized image.

Here is the entire triptych. The figures are three-dimensional and shepherds come out of the walls to see the infant.

Zoomed in to see the details. I love the fact that Mary is holding the baby. This is unusual for nativities.

With the outer parts closed, you see the gold leafed front with our names and anniversary date carved. Looking like doors, it suggest that you open the piece up!

The rear of the piece has the number.

Triptych

A triptych is an art form in which the total composition comprises three parts. It was popularized in early Christian art with obvious references to the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. This way of displaying is also present in much earlier works and modern artists (particularly photographers) employ it in non-religious works. Most famous triptychs are paintings; we have at least three carved nativities employing the triptych approach including this one and two Polish pieces.

It all began in the late 19th century when Alois Riffeser traveled to the major European cities to sell the wood carved figurines and toys which were bought from the farmers of the Gröden Valley located in the Dolomite region of the Alps. This area in South Tyrol was part of Austria-Hungary at the time until being annexed to Italy in 1919.

In 1912 Josef Anton Riffeser founded the ANRI Company, which he named using the first two letters of his first and last name. After World War I, where he was in a prisoner of war camp in Siberia, he formulated his plan for a woodcarving company. He created his own models which he distributed successfully, mainly in the Alpine region.

Josef’s wife, Carolina Riffeser ran the company during the difficult years of war and the absence of her husband. She was especially influential as her social positions were well accepted and gained the confidence of the home workers. She also inaugurated the first canteen of the region.

When Anton Adolf Riffeser took over in 1945, he transformed the ANRI company, adopting a more industrial model which allowed for better quality control and distribution to new markets. He was followed by Ernst Riffeser who was able to enlist the services of many well known artists including Juan Ferràndiz, Sarah Kay and others. The ANRI company today is run by Thomas Riffeser, and still remains in the same family.

A Polish triptych by Tadeusz Kacalak

This is perhaps the only nativity that we had specifically commissioned for us. Another triptych is from a limited run by ANRI. Remember that you can click on any picture to see a larger sized image.

Triptych

A triptych is an art form in which the total composition comprises three parts. It was popularized in early Christian art with obvious references to the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. This way of displaying is also present in much earlier works and modern artists (particularly photographers) employ it in non-religious works. Most famous triptychs are paintings; we have at least three carved nativities employing the triptych approach including one large ANRI piece from Italy, a "folk art" piece from Poland and this piece.

Tadeusz Kacalak

We met Tadeusz at the Folk Arts of Poland store in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He spends some summers working there and takes commissions for when he returns to Poland. He had a similar piece but the angels all had "halos" and we had a few other details we wanted to change. I highly recommend this store should you be in Santa Fe.

Here is the triptych showing the three parts.

The center section of the triptych has the Holy Family along with angels and shepherds.

Closed, the outside of the triptych has an angel and the Star of Bethlehem.